Tire lift/carrier

ABSTRACT

The illustrated embodiment which is in the form of a winch (or hoist) comprises a reel including a spool and embodying a portion thereof through which it may be driven for its raising and lowering functions. The reel mounts in bearing relation to a drive shaft between parallel relatively closely spaced side walls of its housing. This embodiment features an overload clutch including a drive plate mounted for rotation with said shaft within said housing. The drive plate nests within a shallow cup-shaped plate firmly and resiliently coupled by springs, parts of which have an interfit relation with portions of the bounding wall. Upon rotation of the shaft the nature and direction thereof is transmitted through the clutch and successive drive transmission elements to the portion of the reel provided for this purpose. The spool includes a narrow track the base of which is formed in a special arcuate pattern, an interior pocket which is formed to anchor one end of a cable and a restricted passage leading from the pocket, to open from said base, the line of which is lateral to a line radial to the spool. The form of the base and the track dictates a natural stress free coil of the cable on the base and smooth extension of the cable from the winch housing. Additional features include a guide system for the cable providing not only a minimalizing of the wear, tear, and stress normally incident to the use of such apparatus but facilitating a most efficient use thereof where the winch is offset from the applied load. Controls are incorporated through the medium of which the rotation of the reel may be interrupted before the cable is completely unwrapped from the base of the spool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tire/lift carriers, like apparatus andinstallations thereof, featuring a cable type winch, embodyingimprovements providing significant advantage in the structure andfunction of its parts and rendering such devices more efficient andsatisfactory in their use, economical to fabricate, more versatile as totheir application. It also provides such apparatus with a longer lifeand a reduction in the amount of maintenance and replacement requiredfor their operative parts.

A primary achievement of the invention is to solve problems heretoforeexisting in the art in respect to the application of such devices wherethe load to be lifted, lowered and/or carried thereby is other thanessentially directly below and in line with the drum of the winchthereof. At the same time the invention provides elements for theimproved guidance and control of the configuration of the lift cable ofits embodiments which smooths the operation thereof as well as avoidswhat has heretofore been a source of its early fatigue in the practiceof the prior art. Another important advance is evidenced by theprovision of a new and improved overload clutch in the drive system orpreferred embodiments of the invention, the release of which is morecontrolled and less abrupt than has heretofore been the case in the useof the prior art devices of this nature.

For purpose of illustration, but not by way of limitation as to the formof its embodiment or its application, the invention is here describedwith reference to a particular embodiment and installation thereofcomprising a winch (or hoist) wherein the winch in use thereof ismounted to be essentially horizontal rather than vertical and thedirection of its lift and carrier cable is other than simply vertical orin a straight line as it extends outwardly of its housing.

As far as those substantively involved in the presentation of thisdisclosure are aware, the only prior art truly pertinent to thisinvention is subject of Application for U.S. Pat. No. 554,278 filed Nov.22, 1983, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,136, which is a continuation of aprior filed, heretofore copending, Application Ser. No. 277,088 thefiling date of which was June 25, 1981, and now abandoned. While nottruly pertinent to the points of novelty of the present invention it isnevertheless noted for the record that the art cited in the prosecutionof the aforesaid Application Ser. No. 277,088, now abandoned, consistsof the following U.S. patents:

    ______________________________________                                        Name         U.S. Pat. No.  Date                                              ______________________________________                                        Setsuo Yasue 4,249,682      Feb. 10, 1981                                     et al                                                                         R. Rongley   4,222,246      Sep. 16, 1980                                     S. Yasue et al                                                                             4,174,797      Nov. 20, 1979                                     H. Iida      4,059,197      Nov. 22, 1977                                     Y. Watanabe  3,874,536      Apr. 1, 1975                                      S. Yasue et al                                                                             3,856,167      Dec. 24, 1974                                     H. Paul      3,539,152      Nov. 10, 1970                                     B. G. Hadley 3,352,508      Nov. 14, 1967                                     R. S. Perlini                                                                              3,088,689      May 7, 1963                                       J. A. Harrington                                                                           2,894,610      July 14, 1959                                     O. J. Muller   939,734      Nov. 9, 1909                                      ______________________________________                                    

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a cable type winch orhoist including a reel the drum or spool of which is comprised of aseries of centrally apertured thin plates sandwiched in a side by sidecoaxial relation. The intermediate of these plates are smaller than theouter side plates which together therewith define a narrow track thebase of which is formed by the outer peripheral edges of the smallerplates. The smaller plates are identical and each has therein anelongated aperture the elongation of which extends transversely of andat a right angle to a line radial to its central aperture. The plateswhich immediately bound the smaller plates and provide the side walls ofthe track each have a similarly elongated aperture which alignscoaxially with those in the smaller plates to define therewith a pocketreceiving and anchoring one end of a lift cable in connection with thespool. The lift cable is threaded from this pocket by way of a narrowpassage, commonly defined by slots in the smaller plates, to exit fromthe narrow cable track, on the base of which it is wrapped on itselfprior to its exit from the winch housing by way of a plastic guide. Theform of the smaller plates immediately of the exit end of the narrowpassage dictates a one way wrap of the cable on and about their outerperiphery, the configuration of which minimizes the chance of cable hangup, kinking or fatigue in use thereof.

In preferred embodiments of the invention that portion of the lift cablewhich is on the spool at any given time is circumscribed by a generallyhorseshoe shaped bearing element which together with a cable followerand the plastic guide for exit of the cable from the winch housingextends essentially 360°. This provides an optimal control and bearingsurface for the cable, within the winch housing, which contributes to anoverall inhibition of cable fatigue and wear and insures its smooth andmalfunction free operation.

The cable follower has an interconnected stop pawl which moves therewithas it bears against that portion of the cable outermost on its track atany given time. The stop pawl is related to ratchet teeth on the outerperiphery of a ring shaped internal gear connected to and in coaxialrelation with one of the end plates of the reel. The construction andarrangement of the stop pawl is such that it engages with and preventsfurther rotation of the internal gear and correspondingly theinterconnected reel at such time that the cable follower senses thatessentially only a single winding of the cable remains on the reel. Theresult of this structure is to preclude a total unwrapping of the cablefrom its drum. The consequence of this is to preserve the integrity ofthe cable as well as its interconnection with the spool at all times.

The sandwiched elements of the reel all have central apertures which arecoaxially aligned and accommodate the projection therethrough andprovide for their free bearing mount on a drive shaft keyed to which isan improved clutch assembly through which the reel and an interposedeccentrically driven external gear in mesh with its interconnectedinternal gear may be driven. The clutch assembly comprises a relativelythin plate the outer periphery of which is circumscribed by a series ofoutwardly projected co-planar bowed springs. The ends of these springsare anchored and positioned with reference to the keyed plate so theyvirtually encompass essentially 360° of its outer peripheral extent. Theplate and its co-planar springs are nested within a centrally aperturedshallow cup-shaped plate, which is the driven element of the clutchassembly, to have shaped intermediate, relatively projected, portions ofthe springs resiliently lodge in circumferentially spaced notches orslots in the bounding wall structure of the cup-shaped plate.

Fixed to and projected from the outer face of the base of the cup-shapedplate is a cam through the body of which the central aperture of thecup-shaped plate is extended at a location eccentric to the circularcross section of its outer peripheral surface. The drive shaft extendsthrough the central aperture in the cup shaped plate and the cam andthrough the central aperture of a small external gear the diameter ofwhich is large enough and so shaped as to provide for its mount aboutand in bearing relation to the outer peripheral surface of the cam. Atthe same time the external gear nests within, co-planar with andeccentrically of the internal gear in mesh, in part, with a portion ofits teeth. A radially directed arm in connection with one face of theexternal gear has its projected extremity bifurcated to define a slot sothat it may receive therein and mount in bearing relation to one of aseries of rivets which interconnects the relatively parallel side platesof the winch housing. The housing side plates have aligned aperturesrimmed by bearings accommodating the projection therethrough and thebearing relation thereto of the respective end portions of the reeldrive shaft which mounts, intermediate the side plates, the clutch andthe aforementioned gear mechanism through which the reel is driven onrotation of the shaft. A compressible spacer plate is interposed betweenthe reel and the housing side plate remote from the clutch. Theperipheral wall of the winch housing which bridges the side plates andestablishes the position of the cable guide structure within the housingis comprised of shaped wall segments, edge portions of which interfit inslots in the housing side plates.

The winch can function most admirably in most any orientation withreference to a ground surface. A horizontal orientation thereof such aswill be particularly described is most advantageous where the load to becarried by its lift cable is, of necessity, offset from the location ofthe winch per se.

The invention provides for a simple but most efficient extension of thecable guide within its housing which can be easily installed to insure atrouble free path through which the lift cable can easily and freelymove and smoothly function, under load or otherwise.

The overload clutch and its function is particularly unique in that itwill consistently release at the same level of applied torque, a levelwhich is below that critical limit beyond which damage to the winchapparatus can occur. Moreover, its design is such that no jarring of thewinch mechanism occurs as the clutch disengages and reengages. As amatter of fact, the operator immediately senses the smooth and shockfree disengagment of the clutch in response to an overload. There is nofree wheeling of the driver elements of the clutch and subsequent to itsdisengagement they reflect, in the continuing rotation thereof, acontinuing high though somewhat lower torque, as the springs thereofbear on their bounding wall surface. As will be obvious, the improvedoverload clutch herein described will function equally as well in eachof the opposite directions of its rotation. In its embodiment in a tirelift/carrier it serves also as an indicator and correspondingly acontrol assuring a required set position of the tire to insure againstits displacement on the occasion of vibration and shock effects duringand as a consequence of operation of the vehicle on which it is carried.This together with the construction of the reel and the guide system ofthe present invention embodiments provide for an unusually high degreeof control and protection of the lift cable and associated equipment.

The foregoing summarizes the essence of a preferred embodiment of theinvention the broader aspects of which will become readily apparent fromthe following more detailed description thereof.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in tirelift/carriers and like apparatus which are economical to fabricate,render them more efficient and satisfactory in use and adaptable to awide variety of applications, minimize their maintenance requirementsand extend their operation life.

Another object is to provide improvements in the controls embodied intire lift/carriers and like apparatus which render them safer and easierto use.

A further object is to provide improvements in cable type winches,hoists and carriers which facilitate the wrapping and unwrapping oftheir cables, smooth their operation and minimize their fatigue factor.

An additional object is to provide an improved overload clutch having aparticularly advantageous application to tire lift/carriers and thelike.

Another object is to provide improvements in apparatus for andinstallations of cable type tire lift/carriers and the like whichfacilitate their application to environments wherein the winch or hoistthereof must be remote from and other than essentially verticallyaligned with reference to its load.

A further object is to provide a cable type winch or hoist withimprovements as to cable guidance and control.

Another object is to provide improvements in cable type reels, winchesand drums which improve their operation in respect to the wrapping andunwrapping of their cable.

An additional object is to provide a tire lift/carrier and parts thereofpossessing the advantageous structural features, the inherentmeritorious characteristics and the means and mode of use hereindescribed.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the drawings wherein is shown one but not necessarily theonly form of embodiment of a tire lift/carrier and parts thereofcomprising the present invention,

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation of an installation of a tirelift/carrier of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the housing of the tire lift/carrier taken on line2--2 of FIG. 1, the view being rotated to illustrate a vertical ratherthan the horizontal orientation thereof dictated by the installation ofFIG. 1, which indicates the versatility of its application;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the operative structure of the tirelift/carrier of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation view of the winch as observed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the clutch embodied in the apparatus of FIG. 5,taken on line 6--6 thereof, shown in an engaged condition;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 except that the clutch is shown in adisengaged condition;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the driven disc of the clutch and aninterconnected cam;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 3 with partsremoved for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a view taken in the same frame of reference as the structureshown in FIG. 2 with parts removed and broken in part to illustratedetails of improvements of the invention with reference to cable guide,control and housing features and illustrating the lift cable wrapped onits spool;

FIG. 12 is a view such as that of FIG. 11 differing only by reason ofthe lift cable being shown in an unwrapped, extended condition; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the external cable guide extending fromthe winch housing.

Like parts are indicated by similar character of reference throughoutthe several views.

The winch assembly herein illustrated comprises a housing 10 including apair of identically shaped side plates 12 and 14 which in the assemblythereof are disposed in a directly aligned, parallel, relatively closelyspaced relation.

Viewing these plates in the orientation thereof in FIG. 2 of thedrawings, each has a laterally centered aperture, respectively 16, 18,which is more closely adjacent its upper edge than its lower edge andperipherally rimmed by a short sleeve, respectively 20, 22, integralwith, projected from and perpendicular to its outermost face. Theaperture 16 and sleeve 20 in connection with plate 12 define a passageand bearing surface the diameter of which is uniform the length thereofand larger than that likewise defined by the aperture 18 and sleeve 22in connection with the plate 14. These bearing sufaces are coaxiallyaligned, bridged by and support for rotation thereon and relativethereto a winch drive shaft 24.

The shaft 24 is stepped as to its diameter and has one end portion 26thereof which exhibits its largest diameter projected through and inbearing relation to the sleeve 20. The innermost end of the shaftportion 26 is located essentially in the plane of the inner surface ofthe plate 12 while its outer end portion is connected to atelescopically applied end of a crankshaft 28 coupled thereto by adiametrically applied pin 30 through the medium of which it may bedriven in an obvious manner and for purposes to be further described.The end of the shaft portion 26 within the housing 10 is immediatelyfollowed by a very short portion 32 of the length of the shaft which isreduced by peripherally applied flats, causing it to be hex-shaped incross section. The remainder 34 of the shaft 24 extends beyond theportion 32 to project through, in bearing relation to and slightlybeyond the sleeve 22. The shaft portion 34 has a uniform diameter whichis complementary in dimension to that of the inner diameter of thesleeve 22. Immediately of the outer end of the sleeve 22 the shaftportion 34 projects through a washer 36 immediately beyond which thebrief remaining portion 38 of its length has an aperture, diametricallythereof, accommodating a pin 39 the projected ends of which serve tohold the washer in bearing relation to the outer end of sleeve 22 whichit abuts.

Within the housing 10 and between the plates 12 and 14, the shaft 24mounts a reel assembly together with interrelated apparatus throughwhich it is driven in accordance with the present invention. This shaftmounted structure is held between the radial, circularly spaced,co-planar shoulders defined at the inner end of the shaft portion 26 increating the hex-shaped cross section of the following shaft portion 32and the shoulder defined by the subsequent reduction of the shaftdiameter and the plate 14 which is backed by the washer 36 and the pin37. Further containment of the housed structure is achieved by tyingtogether the plates 12 and 14, by four rivets 15 arranged in arectangular pattern to bridge these plates immediately outward of theradial limits of the shaft mounted apparatus which is, in factsandwiched therebetween.

Considering the aforementioned shaft mounted apparatus, in the order ofits application, the first element thereof is a clutch plate 40 having acentral aperture 42 the hex-shape and dimension which is complementaryto that of the shaft portion 32 by means of which it is snugly fitthereon, thereabout and keyed thereto.

Three rectangular apertures 44 formed in the body of the clutch plate 40at locations spaced radially and equidistantly from the center of itsaperture 42 have their own centers circularly and equidistantly spaced,120° apart, and their radially innermost and radially outermost edgesrespectively parallel to one of the flats of the hex-shaped edge of theaperture 42. The arrangement of each aperture 44 is such that a lineextending through its center and the center of the aperture 42 bisectsits inner and outer edges. The radially outermost edge of each aperture44 is interrupted at its center by a radial passage 46 the outermostlimit of which opens from a radially outermost portion of the outerperiphery of the plate 40. Each passage 46 is bounded at its sides byedge portions 47 of the plate 40 which are convexly arcuate, the arc ineach case being formed on the same radius. The outermost end of eacharcuate edge portion 47 blends into and is smoothly continued by anarcuate segment 48 of the outer peripheral edge of the plate 40. As hereprovided there are six segments 48 each of which is relatively short inlength. As will be seen from the drawings, the segments 48 are clearlypaired with respect to each passage 46 and one of each such pair isfurther paired with the next adjacent segment 48 bounding a side of anext adjacent passage 46. In the case of each of the latter pairs, theadjacent ends of their arcuate configurations are bridged by a straightflat edge portion 49 of the outer peripheral edge of the clutch plate 40with which their arcuate configurations smoothly merge. Thus, theconfiguration of the outer peripheral edge of the plate 40 is defined bythe segments 48 and flats 49.

The plate 40 is followed by and seats within and in centered relation tothe base 50 of a very shallow cup-shaped plate 52 the bounding wall 54of which is formed integral with and projects outwardly from andperpendicular to the outer peripheral edge of its base. The wall 54 andthe outer peripheral edge portion of the base 50 with which it joins areformed to have six rectangular cutouts 56 arranged in acircumferentially and equidistantly spaced relation. The bounding edgeportions 58, 59 of each cutout 56 are in a parallel spaced relation and,within the limits of the wall 54, perpendicular to the base 50. Centeredbetween each pair of successively adjacent of these cutouts 56 andprojected radially and outwardly of the projected edge of the wall 54 isa flange 60. The six flanges 60 so provided are circularly andequidistantly spaced and positioned in a common plane which is parallelto and spaced from the plane of the base 50. Note should be taken of thefact that the thickness of the plate 40 has a dimension which is onlyslightly less than that of the depth of the wall 54.

The base 50 of the shallow cup-like plate 52 has a central aperture 61with which the central aperture 42 of the plate 40 is coaxially alignedas it abuts thereto. The clutch plate 40 in held in a centered spacedrelation to the wall 54 by means of three arcuately formed identicallyconfigured springs 62. Each of the springs 62 has the major portion 64of its longitudinal extent, which is centered between relatively shortend portions 65 thereof, formed on a uniform, relatively large radiusexcept for a very short central portion thereof which is offsetoutwardly to define thereon a tit-shaped detent 63 the outermost apexportion of which is formed on a very small radius and the inwardlydirected sides of which are slightly but smoothly divergent. The endportions 65 of each spring 62 are respectively bent to reversely curveupwardly and inwardly of the respective ends of the bow shaped portion64 to provide it with opposite hook shaped extremities on the innersides thereof.

Each spring 62 is disposed outwardly of essentially 120° of thecircumferential extent of the outer edge of the clutch plate 40including an area thereof spanning successively adjacent passages 46comprised of a flat 49 bounded and extended at each of its ends by asegment 48, each of the latter of which is extended in turn by anarcuate side edge portion 47 of one of the passages 46. As each spring62 is symmetrically applied to and co-planar with the plate 40, asrequired, the central section of the length of its bowed portion 64 issubtended by the line of the flat 49 and beyond the respective ends ofthis flat the remainders of the bowed portion 64 and the hook-shapedextremities thereof extend over and in bearing relation to the segments48 to either end of the flat and inwardly and about and in bearingrelation the side surfaces 47 of the adjacent passages 46 and into eachof the respective apertures 44 to which the passages 46 open to anglesymmetrically and commonly in the direction of the most adjacent sideportions of these apertures. The net effect is that each spring 62 isresiliently clipped about and contains the described section of theplate 40 to which it is applied.

As so mounted the springs 62, in their composite, not only encompasssubstantially 360° of the circumferential extent of the plate 40 butserve as resiliently anchored spacers between the latter and the wall 54of the cup-shaped plate 52. More particularly, as will be noted from thedrawings, the positioning of the springs 62 and the plate 40 is suchthat the tit-shaped detent portions 63 lodge in three of the cutouts 56in the wall 54 which are positioned 120° apart, in the process of whichto resiliently wedge between and in bearing relation to their boundingedges 58, 59 in each case. Note that since plate 40 will in the assemblyof the structure be mounted to and about the shaft portion 32, in thedrive of the shaft the plate 40 will be driven thereby and in turndrivingly related to the plate 52 by means of the springs 62, inparticular their tits 63.

The aperture 61 of the plate 52, which is larger than the aperture 42,has the bounding edge thereof shaped to consist of a pair of oppositesegments thereof formed as straight lines which have a parallel spacedrelation and each of their opposite paired ends joined by a furthersegment of such bounding edge which is formed as a convex arc.

Integrally connected with and axially projected from one face of a discshaped cam 66 is an adapter 67 which is complementary in cross sectionto and formed to press fit in the aperture 61 of the base 50 of theplate 52. The cam 66, the outer periphery of which is formed on auniform radius, has an eccentrically positioned aperture, extendedthrough the adapter 67, the diameter of which is of a size enabling itto be slip fit to the shaft portion 34 to position in following abuttedrelation to the plate 52. In actual practice the cam 66 will beassembled to the plate 52, in obvious manner, prior to their assembly tothe shaft 24. In any case, in the assembly of the plate 52 and the cam66 to the shaft, one face of the cam 66 will abut the outer surface ofthe base 50 of the plate 52 and its opposite face will position radialto the shaft.

It should of course be obvious that the apparatus to mount to the shaft24 beyond the inner end of the portion 26 thereof will be appliedthereto prior to the application of the housing side plate 14, thewasher 36 and the pin 39.

The apparatus next following the plate 52 and cam 66 is composed of anannular external gear 68 one face of which is fixed to one face of anannular portion 70 of a control plate 72, in bounding spaced relation toa central aperture therein. The control plate 72 is completed by an armportion 74 which projects radially of its annular portion 70 and has itsoutermost extremity bifurcated to define therein an inwardly directedlongitudinally extended notch 76. The application of the control plate72 and the gear 68 to the shaft 24 is accommodated by the coaxiallyaligned apertures defined therein. The arrangement of the parts in suchapplication provides that the plate 72, that is the annular portionthereof, abuts the outermost surface of the base 50 of the plate 52 asthe gear 68 is positioned about and in bearing relation to the outerperipheral bearing surface of the cam 66, in a generally co-planarrelation thereto. Note is made of the fact that in the application ofthe rivets 15 to bridge the plates 12 and 14 one of the rivets willproject at right angles to the control arm 74 of the plate 70 and to andthrough the notch 76 at its radially outermost extremity. As will beseen, this enables a bearing movement of the bifurcated end portion ofthe arm 74 on such rivet in a manner and for purposes to be furtherdescribed.

The plate 74 and the gear 68 are followed on the shaft 24 by a reelassembly 80. The reel assembly 80 is composed of a series of followingelements which are sandwiched and riveted into a sub-assembly which maybe described as follows.

As shown, the reel assembly 80 includes annular internal gear 82 and sixfollowing plates successively disposed beyond the control plate 72,secured in face abutting side by side relation, for conjoint rotation onthe shaft portion 34, by four rivets 83.

The internal gear 82 is ring shaped, has a plate form providing it withparallel faces. Its inner peripheral edge is formed to include a set ofgear teeth complementary to and adapted to mesh with those of the muchsmaller diameter external gear 68. The outer peripheral edge of theinternal gear is cut to embody teeth 84 having the general shape of suchas those found on the outer edge of a ratchet wheel, the trailing edge85 of each of the six teeth 84 so provided being radial, and flat andshort in its radial extent.

In its assembly about the shaft portion 34, one face 86 of the gear 82is placed immediately of the outer peripheral edge portion of the oneface of the annular portion 70 of the control plate 72 through whichprojects the cam 66. As thus applied, the gear 82 is positionedco-planar with cam 66 and about and co-planar with the gear 68 which isdisposed within and eccentric thereto. As will be seen, this arrangementis such that only a portion of the teeth of the relatively smallexternal gear 68 will at any one instant during the drive thereof be inmesh with and in driving relation to the teeth of the internal gear 82.

The body of the ring shaped gear 82 is punched at each of a series ofequidistant circularly spaced locations therein to produce in the oneface therein adjacent the control plate 72 a series of circularly spacedsockets and at the opposite face thereof a similar series of shortstud-like projections 88 the axial length of which corresponds to thedepth of the sockets. The stud-like projections 88 so provided areintegral with the gear 82 and each disposed radially inward of andcentered between a pair of successively adjacent radially orientedtrailing edge portions 85 of the teeth 84.

The projections 88 are press fit in a corresponding series of circularlyspaced apertures in an annular plate 90 the dimension of the outerdiameter of which corresponds to that of the outer diameter of the gear82. The dimension of the diameter of inner peripheral edge of the plate90 is complementary to that of the shaft portion 34 so that it bearsthereon as it mounts thereabout with and in following relation to theinterconnected gear 82. An annular portion 91 of the plate 90immediately inward of its outermost edge is offset and dished outwardfrom the remainder thereof to provide that surface portion of this plateto which the gear 82 seats as it is fixedly coupled thereto. Theapertures in which the projections 88 are press fit fall within thelimits of the annular portion 91. By virtue of the above describedoffset of the portion 91, the surface of the plate 90 which faces awayfrom the internal gear 82 is provided with a corresponding annularrecess which spaces a very narrow outer edge portion from its moresubstantial co-planar portion which is radially inward thereof.

The plate 90 is followed on the shaft portion 34 by a relatively thinannular plate 92 the ouer and inner diameters of which respectivelycorrespond in dimension to those of the plate 90. The plate 92 includesa small generally rectangular aperture 94 positioned in a relativelyadjacent radially spaced relation to and radially of its centralaperture, defined by its radially innermost edge. The orientation of theaperture 94 is such to provide that a line radial to the centralaperture of the plate 92 which bisects its longitudinally extending,radially spaced, sides is perpendicular thereto.

Each of the next two following plates 96 are thin, identical in shapeand considerably smaller in size by comparison with their boundingplates. Each plate 96 has a central aperture like the plate 92 by meansof which it likewise mounts about and in bearing relation to the shaftportion 34. It also includes an opening forming in the body thereof agenerally rectangular cutout 97 radially spaced from its centralaperture having parallel radially spaced longitudinally extending sideedge potions perpendicular to which is a line radial to its centralaperture, by which line such side edge portions are substantiallybisected.

In the assembly and connection of the plates of the reel, by four rivets83, the cutouts 97 of the plates 96 align not only with each other butwith the aperture 94 of the plate 92 and a similar rectangular aperture98 provided in each of a pair of following identical thin plates 99which are identical with the plate 92. The plates 92 and 99 which boundthe plates 96 form therewith a spool on which a cable 100 wraps onitself, about the base of the track defined thereby which is provided bythe outer peripheral edges of the plates 96.

The plates 99 are immediately followed and abutted, on the shaft portion34, by a centrally apertured plate 102 forming an end plate of the reelthe opposite end plate of which is the plate 90 which mounts theinternal gear. The plate 102 is lanced and formed to produce therein sixcircularly and equidistantly spaced bow shaped projections 104 offsetoutwardly and equally from that face of the plate which is remote fromthe plates 99. By virtue of its projections 104, the plate 102 iscompressible. It is therefore simply and easily adjusted as to thedegree of projection of its portions 104 as the housing plate 14 isapplied over the shaft portion 34 in following relation thereto andinterconnected and drawn to the plate 12 by four rivets 15, aspreviously described, to fix the reel and those other elements mountedon the shaft 24 between the plates 12 and 14 in a precise side by sidefollowing relation to enable their effective interfunction. The plate 14is established immediately within the aperture in the end portion 38 ofthe shaft 24 and its position is fixed on application of the retentionpin 39. The components of the winch which mount about the shaft arethereby fixedly contained at one end by the plate 14 and at their otherend by the shoulders formed on the drive shaft by the reduction of itscross section in forming the portion 32 thereof and the further suchreduction immediately following the portion 32. The sandwichedcontainment of the shaft mounted parts is increased not only by therectangular pattern of the rivets 15 which tie the plates 12 and 14together but also by reason of their placement immediately outward ofthe peripheral extent of the interposed shaft mounted elements.

Benefits of the plates 96 as constructed in the embodiment hereindisclosed are found in the configuration of their outer peripheral edgesand in the manner in which this is correlated with the communicationthereof with the interior of their cutouts 97.

A major section of the outer peripheral edge of each plate 96, to theextent of approximately 270° thereof, is formed on a substantiallyuniform radius. One end portion of the 270° arc so provided is locatedimmediately outward of and projects slightly beyond the longitudinalextent of the cutout 97, which is in a direction transverse to theaforementioned radial line by which it is bisected, and is terminated byan extension provided by a reversely directed curve 105. The curve 105is formed on a very small radius and extended by a relatively shortstraight line which defines one side of a passage 106 in the body of theplate 96. The passage 106 opens at one end which constitutes its innerend to and from the cutout 96, at a location intermediately the limitsof the outermost of the shorter sides of the cutout which bridge theaforementioned longitudinally extending radially spaced side edgesthereof. The other end of the aforesaid approximately 270° arcuateextent of the outer peripheral edge of each plate 96 is itself extendedin a smooth arc 107 which has a sprial configuration. This spiral isformed to gradually approach more closely the central aperture of theplate 96 and extends to a point short of, opposite and spaced inwardlyof that point at which the reverse curve 105 terminates at the outer endof the one side of the passage 106 which defines its extension. Fromthis point the spiral arc 107 is extended by a short, straight line edgeportion of the plate 96 which is in a parallel closely spaced relationto the straight line extension of the curve 105 and forms the oppositeside of the passage 106.

As will be seen, the spacing between the sides of the passage 106 isless than the length of the side of the cutout through which the innerend of the passage 106 opens. Accordingly there are portions of thisside of the cutout to either side of the inner end of the passage whichare perpendicular thereto.

The effect of the shaping of the outer peripheral edges of the plates96, their cutouts and their common passages 106 which open to and fromone end of the cutout 97 in each case causes the plates 96, whenoriented in a vertical elevation such as shown in FIG. 2 to resemble inprofile a head having a mouth and lips which are defined by the cutouts97 and the sides of the passage 106. As will be seen from FIGS. 11 and12 of the drawings, the upper lip is extended by a portion of the spiralcurve 107 and the lower appears as part of a jaw when viewed with thereverse curve 105 and the underlying end portion of the approximately270° arc which this curve extends.

By virtue of the alignment of plates 90, 92, and 96 in successive faceabutting relation in the assembly of the reel and its spool, the cutouts97 together with the generally rectangular aperture 94 provide a socketor pocket within the interior of the spool in which one end portion ofthe lift cable 100, about which a metal sleeve 112 is in this casefixed, is nested and retained by the application of the plates 99 and102 as the plates of the reel are assembled and sandwiched together bythe application of the rivets 83. As the sleeve 112 and the end of thecable to which it is fixed is dropped into the pocket defined in theplates 96 by their cutouts 97 and the extension thereof provided by theaperture 94, prior to the application of the plates 99, the portion ofthe cable immediately following the end mounting the sleeve 112 is laidin the groove defined by the common passages 106. From this point theremaining portion of the cable is projected outwardly of the plates 96so that on application the plates 99 and 102 to complete the reel, andthe interconnection of its plates by rivets 83, the outer portion of thecable can be smoothly wrapped on itself in a natural configuration tofirst follow the pattern of the outer surface of the plates 96 definedinitially by the spiral curve 107 and then extend from the winch housingby way of its exit passage in the cable guide 114, which is preferablyof plastic material. It should be noted that in the application andcontainment of the one end of the cable 100 including the sleeve 112 inthe pocket formed within the spool, it is inherently restrained fromdislodgement because of the limiting abutment surfaces to either endthereof. However, it is enabled to have a small amount of endwisemovement though very restricted in this respect also.

It is further noted that in the provision of holes for the rivetsapplied, they are so arranged in the plates which comprise thesub-assemblies of the invention structure that such plates can beasembled only in one way. This enables a simple and economicalfabrication of embodiments of the present invention.

Also, clamped between the facing plates 92 and 99 which immediatelybound the plates 96 is a horseshoe shaped cable guide 120, preferably ofplastic, the inner surface of which positions in outwardly displacedbounding relation to about 270° of the outer peripheral edges of theplates 96. The side plates 12 and 14 of the housing 10 are each providedwith an identical series of slots, the respective slots therein beingopposed and paired to receive rectangular tab-like extensions fromopposite edge portions of plates 130 which together form an encompassingperipheral wall for the winch assembly mounted to the portions 32 and 34of the shaft 24. One end of the horseshoe shaped guide 120 has arectangular projection on the outer peripheral surface portion thereofwhich hooks into a recess provided in an inner portion of the plasticguide 114. The space between the opposite end of the guide 120 and theguide 114 is bridged by the finger 127 of a cable follower 126 which isalso preferably of plastic. The group of elements 120, 114 and 126produces a bearing surface of essentially 360° which encompasses theportion of the cable 100 on the spool (92, 96, 99) and lends a mostprotective and efficient means which particularly together with theshape of the plates 96 insure a trouble free movement of the cable toand from the spool which is protective thereof as well as rendering thewinch more efficient in use.

As seen FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, which illustrate a clockwisedrive of the shaft 24, the rivet 15' bridging and interconnecting theplates 12 and 14 at approximately a 4 o'clock position with reference tothe clockwise movement of the spool, defined by the plates 96 and thebounding plates 92 and 99, is in this instance provided with a sleeve125. Mounting about the sleeve 125 is a coil spring 129 one end of whichseats in abutment to the inner surface of the housing side plate 14. Byvirtue of a plastic lined aperture the follower 126 mounts about thesleeve 125 to seat to the other end of the spring 129, in the process ofwhich a tangentially directed right-angled extremity of the spring hooksinto a recess in the body thereof in a position radially displaced fromthe sleeve 125. The opposite end portion of the spring 129 which seatsto the plate 14 includes a portion thereof extending tangentially to andoutwardly from its coil the projected extremity of which is bent atright angles to the preceding portion and projects from andperpendicular the plate 14. This part of the spring which bears againstthe plate 14 and its right angled projected extremity is biased to bearagainst the peripheral wall of the winch housing in a manner not only tobe contained thereby but to cause a bias of the follower 126 to which itis hooked inwardly of the spool of the reel, between the facing plates92 and 99 thereof, in the direction of the base of the track of thespool, defined by the plates 96, on which base the lift cable 100 islimited to be wrapping on itself. The construction and arrangement issuch to produce a constant bias of the projected extremity of the fingerportion 127 of the follower 126 against the outer coil of the cablewrapped on the base of the track of the spool at any given time.

Coupled to and coaxially with the follower 126, by mating, press fitmale-female parts thereof is the body of a stop pawl 128 which has anaperture aligned with that of the follower 126 providing for its commonmount and rotation with the follower, in abutment with a portion of theface thereof and remote from the spring 129. The stop pawl 128 the bodyof which has a plate form includes a finger-like portion 131 co-planarwith the internal gear 82, the projected extremity of which finger isnormally positioned immediately outward of the ratchet teeth 84 on itsperipherally outermost surface. As will be further seen, the bias of thespring 129 is to induce a conjoint rotation of the follower 126 and thestop pawl 128 to provide that the stop pawl is caused to so position asto lodge behind the back edge 85 of a ratchet tooth 84 on the outerperiphery of the internal gear 82 precisely at such time as the liftcable 100 has been unwrapped from the spool to the point (in theparticular preferred embodiment illustrated) that approximately 180° to270° of a single wrap of the cable is left on the spool.

As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12 the stop pawl 128 and follower 126 are sointerconnected that in the clockwise drive of the spool the finger 131of the stop pawl is fixed counterclockwise of the finger 127 to trailthis finger by an angle which may vary but in this instance is shown toapproach 30°. As will be obvious, a stop of the rotation of the gear 82will occur at a time prior to the complete discharge of the cable. Theprovision of this control is to insure that in no instance will thecable totally unwrap from the spool and produce unnecessary stress orstrain. Beyond the spool the cable portion within the housing beingencompassed by its essentially 360° bearing structure will optimallyconfigure as it is passed from the winch housing through the cable guide114. The benefits of this should be readily apparent, since it affordsinsurance as to preservation of the integrity of the cable per se.

The foregoing structure is that provided in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, in the present instance providing for its mostadvantageous application as a tire lift/carrier. FIG. 2 illustrates thisembodiment to provide apparatus which can readily be used in aconventional application, i.e. where the load is in a direct verticalalignment with the winch and in particular the spool thereof. In suchattitude of use the benefits of the improvements of the invention willbe readily apparent. However, the unit apparatus of the invention, byreason of the presently embodied improvements, are most advantageous indifficult applications where the load of necessity is offset from theline of the track of the spool of the winch. Such an application isgraphically illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings to which all the otherFigures thereof can be referenced.

FIG. 11 of the drawings is a view of the elements of the reel whichexhibit the wrapping of the cable 100 about the outer periphery of theplates 96. As there seen the outer limit of the wrap and a limitedportion of the cable extending counterclockwise therefrom isperipherally bounded by the immediate surface of the cable guide 120,the finger 127 of the follower 126 and the cable guide 114 on which thecable is adapted to bear as it is paid out. The cable issues from thewinch housing by way of a passage defined in the body of the cable guide114. Note that only a single track, defined within the spool of thereel, dictates that the cable is maintained in a single plane within thelimits of the housing 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, thecable remains in the same plane as it is extends in a straight linethrough the major extent of a length of tubing 132 the entrance end ofwhich is aligned with and immediately of the exit opening of the cablepassage in the guide 114. Thus, as seen in FIG. 1, by virtue of thehorizontal attitude of the winch 10 and the same horizontal attitude ofthe major extent of the length of tubing 132, which forms an immediateextension of the passage in the cable guide 114, one can place the winchin one location and lead the cable therefrom laterally and horizontallyin whatever direction required to the point of a 90° curve provided inthe end portion of the tube 132 remote from the housing 10. A shortvertical extension of the 90° curve is directly over the center of theload to be carried, lifted and/or lowered as it is controlled by anoperation of the winch.

FIGS. 1 and 11 show the tire lift/carrier of the embodiment andinstallation of the invention just described in the attitude in which itis connected to the frame of a truck and a fragment of the spare wheel,the outer periphery of which mounts a tire, called by and supported fromthe cable 100 in their normally stored position with reference to thetruck to which the lift/carrier is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, for the purpose of mounting the wheel, and tireapplied thereto, so that the structure may be stably supported inconnection with the lift cable, in this instance, as schematicallyillustrated, the lower or dependent extremity of the cable mounts, bysuitable means, and in known manner, a narrow rectangular plate 142.This plate applied lengthwise through the center of the aperture in thewheel mounting the tire is positioned in an attitude perpendicular tothe cable after it is passed through the wheel to diametrically bridgethe opening in the wheel and have its respective end portions positionedunder and in supporting relation to the wheel and the interconnectedtire.

When it is desired to lower the wheel and included tire from theirstored position, in which they are illustrated in FIG. 1, through themedium of an interconnected handle (not shown), the crankshaft 28 willbe manually cranked counterclockwise to extend the cable 100 and lowerthe supported wheel and tire. The drive of the reel, and accordingly thespool, which will be directed through the drive shaft 24, in particularthe portion 32 thereof, will induce a rotation of the plate 40 and theassembled co-planar springs 62, thereby to resultingly drive the plate52 very firmly, positively and uniformly by the engagement therein ofthe tits 63. This produces an oscillation of the external gear 68, acorresponding drive of the internal gear 82 and through it acounterclockwise rotation of the spool on which the cable 100 is wrappedon itself. As will be obvious, the result is that the cable will, byvirtue of the present construction and configuration of the plates 96and the cable guides 120, 126 and 114 smoothly and uniformly move fromthe winch housing. The spiral contour of the arc 107 forming theextension of the passage 46 in the plates 96 provides assurance that asthe cable unwinds from the spool it will smoothly bear against the innersurface of the horseshoe shaped guide 120 as its contact is inducedtherewith. The cable will at this point be caused to assume aconfiguration which eliminates kinking, adverse bends and friction ofthe type that would produce objectionable wear and tear of thecomponents of the winch. More than this, the construction andarrangement of the guide structure exterior to the winch in theinstallation shown in FIG. 1, details of which are illustrated in FIG.13, eliminates serious problems heretofore found to exist in use ofprior art devices applied to similar purposes where the load to belifted and carried is out of direct line with the apparatus by which itis to be lifted, loaded and carried. The efficiency found in use of thenoted improvements of the invention are particularly evidenced in suchinstances where the cable is lowered in absence of an applied load.

Attention is directed to the fact that as the cable 100 is paid out, thefinger portion 127 of the cable follower 126, under the influence of thebias of the spring 129, moves inwardly between the plates 92 and 99 ofthe spool to constantly bear on the outer layer of the wrapped cable. Atthat point that only a single partial winding of the cable remains onthe outer periphery of the plates 96, encompassing approximately 180° to270° thereof, (when this point is reached, and not before) the projectedextremity of the finger 131 of the stop pawl 128 is rotated sufficientlywith the follower 126 under the influence of the spring 129 to moveinwardly of the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear 82 andlodge behind the radially projected rear edge 85 of one of its ratchetteeth 84. This precludes a total unwrapping of the cable during thelowering thereof under load and provides a predetermined level of theload in its lowermost portion in connection with the cable 100.Additional benefits derive from such arrangement in that it precludesundue stress and strain at the point at which the cable is anchored tothe plates 96 which might inadvertently cause damage to or dislodgementof the cable from its spool.

As will be obvious, noting FIG. 12, for lifting the drive shaft 24 iscranked clockwise. If for any reason a load is applied to the lower endof the cable for lifting thereof and its weight is more than the maximumlimit prescribed, when the plate 40 and the interconnected springs 62are driven clockwise, the tits 63 of the springs 62 will be felt tosmoothly displace from and out of the notches 56 in the bounding wall 54of the plate 52 and move onto the inner surface of the wall 54 fromnotch to notch without any perceptible strain of the cable resulting.

When the load is within prescribed limits, and the shaft 24 is drivenclockwise, the tits 63 of the springs 62 will transmit the driveproduced on rotation of the crankshaft and cause the spool to turn andthe cable to smoothly wrap on the base of the track defined therein bythe outer periphery of the plates 96, even with remoteness of the loadas in the example illustrated in FIG. 1. The construction andarrangement is such that when by virtue of the degree of torque appliedin drive of the spool it should by reason of carelessness or negligenceexceed a predetermined, preset maximum limit, this will be reflected bythe springs dislodging their tits 63 from the notches 56 in the drivenplate at that point corresponding to the limit of the upward movementprescribed for the load. In other words, the load will have been liftedto that position in which it is prescribed that the load be carried. Atsuch time, where there is a manual cranking as described, the operatorof the winch will be able to feel that a smooth but pressureddisplacement of the tits from the notches in the wall 54, as would bethe case where there is an overload. Note that the torque applied to thesprings 62 will not in such cases drop to zero, under which conditionsthere could be danger to the operator. The torque will in such instancemerely reduce a limited degree, sufficient only to distinguish from acondition such as exists when there is a driving of the plate 52. Asindicated previously, in the event of an overload, such as would occurin the manner described, the tits 63 bear between the notches 56 againstthe inner wall surface of the plate 52. This safety feature positivelyprecludes inadvertent damage to the winch or its parts where theoperator applies himself or herself violently to the drive of thecrankshaft. Thus the overload clutch structure of the invention servesadmirably and most effectively in a dual capacity.

Referring to FIG. 13, the length of tubing 132 is fastened to theunderside of the frame of the truck to which the lift/carrier apparatusis applied, by means of two longitudinally spaced brackets 136 and 138,each of which is generally U-shaped in transverse section and hasco-planar wing-like flanges extending outwardly from, laterally of andperpendicular to the projected ends of the parallel arms of its crosssectional configuration.

As seen in FIG. 13, the bracket 136, the vertical extent of which isshorter than that of the bracket 138, has the U-shaped portion thereofin underlying and cupped relation to the tubing 132 adjacent itsentrance end. As will be obvious, the flanges thereof are uppermost andsuitably apertured for application therethrough of bolts or the like tofix it to the immediately overlying truck frame to which it is fastened.

The bracket 138 is applied to the end of the tubing 132 including theportion 134 thereof. The vertical extent of the U-shape of the bracket138 is suitable to this end. In the case of this bracket the base of itsU-shape is at right angles to its upwardly projected, closely spacedparallel arms and has a central aperture. In the application of thebracket 138, its parallel arms immediately bound opposite sides of thecurved portion of the tubing 132 and its vertically dependent portion134. The projected extremity of the portion 134 projects through andinto the upper end of a coaxially aligned bushing the flange of which isabutted to the undersurface of the bracket base in rimming relation toits central aperture. The bushing 140 projects, in turn, through thecentral opening of a retention plate 144 which abuts the underside ofits flange and holds it in a clamped relation to the underside of thebracket base as oppositely projected tabs thereof are bent upwardly andover the upper surface of the ends of the base of bracket 138 betweenthe upstanding sides of its U shape. The bushing 140 is thereby clampedin connection with the base of the bracket to form a coaxial extensionof the tubing portion 134. To either side of the plate 144, at aposition spaced 90° from its tabs, are upstanding flanges enabling it tocup about opposite surfaces of the lower ends of the upstanding arms ofthe bracket. Attention is directed to the fact that the bushing 140 hasa counterbore in the end thereof which disposes uppermost formingtherein an annular shoulder to which the dependent extremity of thetubing portion 134 is seated. The bore of the bushing 140 in thisinstance is reduced in diameter with respect to that of the tubing 132to accommodate the cable 100 being threaded therethrough insubstantially bearing relation to the bounding portion of the inner wallsurface thereof. As may be seen, this provides stability to the cable100 as it extends downwardly from the tubing 132 to connect therebelowto the applied load. The benefits of this are seen both in respect tothe lifting and lowering of the cable in use thereof for its intendedpurpose.

Note also should be taken of the fact that the very nature of theshaping and interrelation of the parts of the winch enables that it maybe assembled with the drive shaft reversed end to end, as may be desiredin a particular application. This contributes to the economy andefficiency of the construction provided in the embodiment of theinvention here illustrated.

One further note should be made with reference to the fact that theflanges 60 provided on the driven plate 52 distinguish this structurefrom prior art driven elements applied heretofore for same purposes inthat the flanges 60 provide increased thrust bearing surface in respectto the plate 12. This together with the whole arrangement of theimprovements and construction of the winch provides that the partsthereof, including the cable 100, will have a most balanced operationthroughout the various aspects of their functions. The winch unit,therefore, provides an extremely durable construction which is mosteffective for use in difficult applications, particularly with referenceto the provision of a tire lift/carrier such as herein described.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effectand the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A tire lift/carrier orthe like including a spool, said spool comprising a plurality of plateelements fixed in side by side face abutting relation, one portion ofsaid plate elements intermediate others thereof having its outerperipheral surface recessed relative that of other plate elements bywhich it is bounded to define therewith a narrow track the base of whichis provided by the outer periphery of said portion of said plateelements, said one portion of said plate elements being apertured toform therein a generally rectangular opening to provide a pocket in saidspool which is laterally expanded by apertures in said bounding plateelements, one end of a cable having means providing an enlargementthereof anchored in said pocket, a restricted passage defined in saidone portion of said plate elements, said passage being open at one endthereof to said pocket and having the other end thereof opening fromsaid base of said track, the direction of said passage being laterallyof and substantially at a right angle to a line radial to said spool,said passage providing a path through which said cable extends from saidpocket, the configuration of said outer perpheral surface of said oneportion of said plate elements, to one side of the opening of saidrestricted passage from said base, being formed in an essentially spiralarc, facilitating a natural, smooth wrap of said cable about said baseand a smooth extension thereof from said spool.
 2. Apparatus including aclutch for use in connecting a drive shaft to a device mounted thereonfor rotation relative thereto which is used to lift or maintain a loadnot in excess of a predetermined limit, for example a tire lift/carrier,comprising a clutch plate connected to the shaft for rotation therewith,a further plate mounted to and for rotation on said shaft in animmediately following relation to said clutch plate, said further platehaving the shape of a cup comprising a base portion and generallyperpendicular thereto a shallow wall portion, said clutch plate beingnested in said cup and having springs engaged thereto in a generallycircular arrangement thereof, a plurality of said springs each having aportion thereof projecting outwardly of the outer peripheral boundary ofsaid clutch plate and formed on a uniform radius and to include afurther projection centered between its ends which has the shape of atit, said projecting portions being in a substantially co-planarrelation, said shallow wall portion presenting to the interior of saidcup at each of a number of locations which are circularly spaced a wallformation arranged to receive and lodge one of said tits, each said titbeing normally lodged and laterally contained in one of said wallformations to provide a normally positive and secure drive of saidfurther plate and the device to which it is connected, on rotation ofsaid shaft, absent said device being subjected to a load in excess ofsaid predetermined limit.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said clutchplate includes a series of flats defined on its outer periphery each ofwhich is laterally bounded by two slots directed inwardly of said clutchplate the radial innermost extremity of each of which is laterallyexpanded, each of said springs is bow shaped, bounds one of said flatsintermediate its respective ends and has its respective extremitiesprojected into the expanded portions of the two slots which laterallybound said one flat to engage therein to said clutch plate, thereby topreclude the circular displacement thereof with reference to said clutchplate.
 4. Tire lift/carrier apparatus including a drive shaft, a clutchplate mounted on and connected for rotation with said shaft, a spoolmounted in bearing relation to said shaft to accommodate relativerotation therebetween, said clutch plate being normally in drivingrelation to said spool through interposed means which mount to and aboutsaid shaft, said spool being formed to define therein a narrow trackhaving a base which is recessed relative to portions of said spool whichdefine the sides of said track and bound said base thereof, a cable oneend portion of which is anchored to said spool to align it with saidbase of said track, said interposed means including a further platemounted to and for rotation on said shaft in an immediately followingrelation to said clutch plate, said further plate having the shape of acup comprising a base portion and generally perpendicular thereto ashallow wall portion, said clutch plate being nested in said cup andhaving springs engaged thereto in a generally circular arrangementthereof, a plurality of said springs each having a portion thereofprojecting outwardly of the outer peripheral boundary of said clutchplate and formed on a uniform radius and to include a further projectioncentered between its ends which has the shape of a tit, said projectingportions being in a substantially co-planar relation, said shallow wallportion presenting to the interior of said cup at each of a number oflocations which are circularly spaced a wall formation arranged toreceive and lodge therein one of said tits, each said tit being normallylodged and laterally contained in one of said wall formations to providea normally positive and secure drive of said further plate and,therethrough, the other of said interposed portions and said spool onrotation of said shaft, absent said spool being subjected to a load inexcess of prescribed limit.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 comprising ahousing including parallel side plates between which said clutch plate,said interposed means and said spool and anchored cable are laterallycontained and said shallow wall portion of said further plate embodiesintegral, external, radially projected, flange means which on rotationof said shaft bear on the most adjacent surface of one of said sideplates to maintain a balanced drive of the following interposed meansand said spool.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 4 comprising a housingincluding parallel side plates between which said clutch plate, saidinterposed means and said spool and anchored cable are laterallycontained, means defining a cable guide contained in said housing at alocation immediately of the periphery of said spool, said cable guidebeing formed to include a passage for exit of said cable from saidhousing the entrance to which is in a direct alignment with said base ofsaid track, said cable being threaded through said passage, whichprovides in bounding relation thereto a plastic bearing surface for saidcable as it is wrapped on or unwrapped from said spool and provides asmooth and controlled alignment of said cable with said track in itsexit from and the wrap thereof on the base of said track.
 7. Apparatusas in claim 6 including a further cable guide releasably connected atone end thereof to said first mentioned cable guide and extendingtherefrom to position within the outer peripheral portion of said trackand set in circularly bounding relation to an excess of 180 degrees ofthe base of said track and the cable which is wrapped thereon toencompass the major extend of said cable between the side portions ofsaid track.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said passage for exit ofsaid cable from said housing is extended by a tubular member one portionof which is bent in a smoothly curving arc to place the followingportion thereof so as to extend in a direction different than that ofsaid preceding portion of said cable.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 8 whereinsaid apparatus is installed in connection wth a vehicle, said housing ismounted in a substantially horizontal position, said tubular memberinitially extends from said housing in a substantially horizontal lineand said bent portion thereafter smoothly directs said cable from saidhorizontal to depend vertically therefrom for the engagement thereof toa load to be carried thereby or otherwise applied thereto.
 10. Apparatusas in claim 7 wherein said side plates are bridged by a wall structurewhich forms its outer periphery and said peripheral wall structureprovides means in backing relation to a least a portion of said cableguide means to maintain its required position in reference to said cablewithin the limits of said housing.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 7 includinga spring biased cable follower at the outer periphery of said track thebias of which provides that a portion thereof bears on the outermostlayer of said cable which is wrapped on said base at any given time andsaid follower is mounted in connection with means which together withboth the aforementioned cable guides is positioned to provide anessentially 360° bearing surface for the cable which is wrapped on thespool as it exits from, returns to said housing.
 12. Apparatus as inclaim 11 including means in connection with said spool the outerperipheral surface of which includes a plurality of relatively spacedratchet teeth, the last said means rotating with said spool in thewrapping and unwrapping of said cable, and means movable incorrespondence with the movement of said follower to interengage withand prevent the rotation of said means including said ratchet teeth andsaid spool on a predetermined portion of cable being left on said baseas the cable is unwrapped therefrom and extended form said housing. 13.Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said passage for exit of said cablefrom said housing is extended by a tubular member one portion of whichis bent in a smoothly curving arc to place the following portion thereofso as to have the cable therein extend in a generally horizontaldirection and then further bent to place the cable therein in a verticalorientation as it passes therethrough.
 14. Tire lift/carrier apparatuscomprising a drive shaft, a housing supporting said drive shaft forrotation, a clutch plate within said housing and mounted on said driveshaft for rotation therewith, a set of annular sheet metal platesforming a spool mounted on said drive shaft for relative rotation withinsaid housing and defining a narrow annular track, said clutch platebeing normally in driving relation to said spool through interposedmeans surrounding said shaft, an elongated flexible cable havingopposite end portions, means mounted on one end portion of said cablefor supporting a tire, means connecting the opposite end portion of saidcable to said spool, said annular track of said spool having a widthslightly greater than the diameter of said cable to confine said cablefor wrapping radially outwardly in a spiral overlapping manner withinsaid track, said interposed means including a drive plate supported forrotation relative to said shaft and adjacent said clutch plate, saiddrive plate including circumferentially spaced projections disposedaround said clutch plate, spring elements mounted on said clutch plateand having portions projecting outwardly into engagement with saidprojections on said drive plate, said spring elements being deformableinwardly by said projections in response to relative rotation betweensaid clutch plate and said drive plate and providing for driving saiddrive plate by said clutch plate with a predetermined limiting torque,said interposed means further including an eccentric cam memberrotatable with said drive plate, an annular drive gear mounted on saidcam member and supported for orbital movement in response to rotation ofsaid cam member, a ring gear surrounding said drive gear, and means forrigidly securing said ring gear to said spool to effect rotation of saidspool in response to rotation of said shaft and said clutch platethrough said interposed means.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 andincluding compressible plate means surrounding said shaft and disposedfor limiting axial movement within said housing of the componentssurrounding said shaft.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 whereinsaid spring elements encompass substantially the outer periphery of saidclutch plate.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said clutchplate is substantially flat and has a plurality of periphery spacedopenings, and said spring elements have hooked end portions disposedwithin said openings.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 and includinga cable guide member mounted on said housing and defining an exit forsaid cable from said housing, and said guide member comprises a body ofmolded plastics material.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 andincluding a sheet metal generally C-shaped plate disposed within saidhousing and projecting into said track of said spool for confining saidcable within said track.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 whereinsaid ring gear has peripherally spaced stop surfaces, a spring biasedstop pawl is supported by said housing for engaging said stop surfaces,and means for sensing said cable within said track and for pivoting saidstop pawl to assure winding of said cable on said spool in only onedirection.
 21. Tire lift/carrier apparatus comprising a drive shaft, ahousing supporting said drive shaft for rotation, a clutch plate withinsaid housing and mounted on said drive shaft for rotation therewith, aset of annular sheet metal plates forming a spool mounted on said driveshaft for relative rotation within said housing and defining a narrowannular track, said clutch plate being normally in driving relation tosaid spool through interposed means surrounding said shaft, an elongatedflexible cable having opposite end portions, means mounted on one endportion of said cable for supporting a tire, means connecting theopposite end portion of said cable to said spool, said annular track ofsaid spool having a width slightly greater than the diameter of saidcable to confine said cable for wrapping radially outwardly in a spiraloverlapping manner within said track, said interposed means including adrive plate supported for rotation relative to said shaft and adjacentsaid clutch plate, said drive plate including circumferentially spacedprojections disposed around said clutch plate, spring elements mountedon said clutch plate and having portions projecting outwardly intoengagement with said projections on said drive plate, said springelements being deformable inwardly by said projections in response torelative rotation between said clutch plate and said drive plate andproviding for driving said drive plate by said clutch plate with apredetermined limiting torque, said interposed means further includingan eccentric cam member rotatable with said drive plate, an annulardrive gear mounted on said cam member, a plate connected to said housingand supporting said drive gear for orbital movement in response torotation of said cam member, a ring gear surrounding said drive gear andhaving at least one tooth more than the number of teeth on said drivegear, and means for rigidly securing said ring gear to said spool toeffect rotation of said spool in response to rotation of said shaft andsaid clutch plate through said interposed means.